Method of raising edible animals

Abstract

In a method of raising an edible animal, a finely pulverized product of a plant tissue of Stevia is added to feed in an amount of 0.5% to 7% by weight, thereby preventing exudation of meat juice from meat of the edible animal, decreasing fat content without turning meat of the edible animal stale, producing DHA-containing meat of the edible animal, or preventing an egg of the fowl (preferably, a hen's egg) from being broken.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for strengthening a shell of an egg of a fowl to inhibit breakage thereof, comprising raising the fowl on a feed comprising a finely pulverized product of a plant tissue of Stevia in an amount of about 0.5% to about 7% by weight. 
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the fowl is a chicken. 
     
     
       3. A method of reducing a breaking ratio of eggs produced by a fowl, comprising: 
       preparing a feed comprising a finely pulverized product of a plant tissue of Stevia; and  
       feeding the fowl said feed.  
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said feed produced in step of preparing includes the finely pulverized product in an amount ranging from about 0.5% to about 7% by weight. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said feed produced in step of preparing includes the finely pulverized product in an amount ranging from about 1% to about 5% by weight. 
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said finely pulverized product includes a particle size not to exceed about 100 μm. 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said finely pulverized product includes a particle size not to exceed about 50 μm. 
     
     
       8. A method according to  claim 3 , further comprising producing the finely pulverized product prior to said step of preparing, said step of producing includes drying and pulverizing the plant tissue of Stevia. 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 8 , wherein said step of drying includes reducing a water content to no greater than about 12%. 
     
     
       10. A method according to  claim 8 , wherein said step of drying includes reducing a water content to no greater than about 10.5%. 
     
     
       11. A method according to  claim 8 , wherein said step of pulverizing include a two-step pulverizing treatment. 
     
     
       12. A method according to  claim 3 , further comprising harvesting the Stevia before bearing of buds thereby. 
     
     
       13. A method according to  claim 3 , further comprising granulating said finely pulverized product into granules. 
     
     
       14. A method according to  claim 3 , wherein the fowl includes a chicken. 
     
     
       15. A method according to  claim 3 , wherein said feed includes calcium.